Automatic window lock



- w. E. BECK AUTOMATIC WINDOW LOOK Sept, 11,

-- Filed sem /1: 1922 Patented Sept. 11, 1923.

WILLIAM E. BECK, OF DOLTON, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC -WINDOW LOCK.

Application filed September 13, 1922., Serial No. 587,933.

This invention is a burglar excluding device, adapted to be sold by any commercial hardware store for ready installation by the householder at the juncture of the upper and lower sashes of an ordinary window,

whereby the occupant of the house can move either window sash as he sees lit and yet, on leaving the sashes in any given desired position, a marauder outside the house cannot move either sash with reference to the other. The object of the invention is to provide a burglar excluding lock for a partially open window which is readily applicable to any ordinary window device having an upper and lower sash; which is satisfactory and eiiicient in use in both stopping the burglar and not interfering with the normal use of the window and is not readily liable to get out of order.

The invention consists in means for attaining the foregoing and other objects and in the special features and details of construction which will behereafter more fully set forth in the specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings, each showing a fragmentary part of an upper and lower window sash having the mechanism of this invention applied thereto, and in which like numerals designate the same parts throughout the several ,views:

Figure 1 is a face and Figure 2 a side view of the device of this invention applied to the window sashes in closed position. In the latter view, parts of the sashes are in section.

Figure 3 is a changed position view of Figure 2, showing the mechanism of this device in action when the window is open. For the purposes of this figure, it does not make any difference whether the lower sash is considered raised or the upper sash lowered.

Broadly stated, the invention consists of applying above the lower window sash 10 and parallel with a side member 12 of the upper sash an upwardly extending rigid member 14:, positively attached to the lower sash by any suitable means, as, for instance,

the screws 16, there being between this vertically extending rigid member 14: and the member 12 of the upper sash a vertically elongated space adapted to receive the gravity actuated wedge 18 arranged to drop" downward until it engages the upper frame member 12 along the surface 20, and when the window is open, it engageson its oppo site side a corner 22 of the upper cross member 10 of the lower window sash. The parts should be so proportioned that the wedge 18 will engage these adjacent parts of the upper and lower sash frame with sufficient frictional resistance so that when the wedge is once in place, the lower sash cannot be raised with reference to the upper sash if it is stationary, 1. e., in normal upper posltion;

and that the upper sash cannot be lowered with reference to the lower sash if it is stationary, i. e., in normal lowered position.

Specifically, the invention takes the form of a metallic box member 14 having flanges 24: and 26 turned toward upper sash member 12 so as to in a large measure conceal the wedge 18 from the View of a person in the room in which the device is installed. In

side the box formed by the member 14 proper and its flanges 24: and 26, is preferablybut not necessarily-located a spring 28, in the case here illustrated double ended, adapted to press the wedge 18 into contact with upper sash member 12. In the specific form of the invention shown, the pressure of spring 28 augments the normal friction of surface 20 sufficiently to hold wedge 18 stationary against surface 20, no matter how great a force is used in moving window 12 to force angular point 22 up the inclined or lefthand surface of the wedge 18.

The flange 2 1 fits over the upper end of the wedge 18 andthus insures the wedge bemg retained in operating position with reference to the other parts described, regardless of how widely the operator may open 18 and holds it above and clearof the angular edge 22 on the lower sash member 10 In this latter position, the wedge is positively held away from edge 22 and rigid with the lower sash. heretore, it either sash is moved, the wedge has to slide along surface 20 on upper sash member 12. Consequently, so long as the operator holds the i lever 30 in the position of Figure 2, the wedge is inoperative for locking purposes and the operator can move either sash at will as though this mechanism were not present. As soon, however, asthe operator releases lever 32 and moves it to the position of Figure 3, the spring actuated wedge operates normally to lock the. two window sashes at the particular open position where lever 932 was released. In actual practice what the operator does is to hold the parts in the position of Figure 2 while he is. adjusting either window sash to desired position. He then moves the lever 30 to the po sition of Figure 3 which allows the wedge to act .and lock the sashes in that position. lVhen the operator approaches the window with the parts in the position of Figure 3, the wedge in nowise prevents his moving the opened sash to its closed position, viz: until the parts assume the position of Figure 2, whereupon he can manipulate lever 30 as described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In mechanism of the class described in combination with two window sashes adapted for movement parallel to each other, a member rigid on one sash extending parallel to the other sash, a wholly disconnected removable Wedge insertable between the rigid member and second sash, and spring mechanism on the rigid member engagin the wedge to hold it against the second sash.

2. In mechanism of the class described in combination with two window sashes adapted tormovement parallel to each other, a

member rigid on one sash extending parallel to the other sash, a wholly disconnected removable wedge insertable between the rigid member and second sash, and selectively operatable-means for temporarily supporting the wedge to move in unison with the rigid member.

3. mechanism Qt the class described in combination with two window sashes adapted for movement .parallel toeach other, a member rigid onone sash extending parallel to the other sash, a wholly disconnected removable wedge. insertable between the. rigid member and second sash, spring mechanism on the rigidmemberv engaging the wedge to hold it against the second sash, and selectively operatable. means for temporarily supporting the wedge to move in unison with the rigid member.

4. In mechanism of the class described in combination with two window sashes adapted for movement parallel to each other, a member rigid on one sash extending parallel to the other sash, a wholly disconnected removable wedge insertable between the rigid member and second sash, the rigid member being of box construction-open toward the second sash to. cover the. wedge, and spring mechanism inside the box bearing on the wedge for the purposesset forth- 5. In mechanism of the class described in combination withtwo window sashes adapted for movement parallel to. each other, a member rigid on one sash extending paralev lel to the other sash, a Wholly disconnected removable wedge insertable between .the

rigid member and second. sash, the rigid member being of box OOnStruction open toward the second sash to coverv the wedge, spring mechanism inside the boX bearing on the wedge for the. purposes set forth, and selectively operatable means vfor temporarily supporting the wedge to more in unison with the'rigid member.

In witness whereof I; have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM E. BECK. 

